Advocating

All children deserve to be seen, heard, and understood. Without exception. When children have limited verbal communication or complex developmental differences this may be more challenging, but is certainly not impossible. Our children need advocates - people who have their back. When we feel our children are overlooked or unsupported, we will be tempted to put the gloves on and enter the ring. But fighting will not help.

Advocating is not fighting.

Advocating starts with seeing. Powerful advocacy requires us to climb up high and see our child from an unobstructed view. When we can see our child’s abilities, strengths, and unique qualities, we are well placed to advocate for them. We can see what works, what helps, and what they need. Advocating is showing. Describe what you see in your child and what you envision. Show others how to be around your child and how to get the most out of them.

Advocacy is the parent staying at the preschool; their presence alone providing the quiet reassurance the child needs to feel safe in a new environment.

Advocacy is the quiet whisper in the teacher’s ear to let them know how your child can participate in their own way.

Advocacy is the subtle environmental changes that make all the difference for your child - the music being turned down, the timers and visuals to warn of transitions, the fluorescent lights being off when your child arrives.

Your child will have many champions in their lives.

Some champions you may have already met and some you will be surprised by. Champions are clear supporters. When you begin describing all that your child can do and what helps them, they share your optimism and maybe even add more ideas. They are able to climb to meet you, see your view, and celebrate your child. When you find a fellow advocate for your child – someone who will lift your child up and champion their strengths, celebrate and let them help.

Some people will not be able to perceive your child the way you do. That’s ok. You will know who they are. When you begin to describe your child and all that you see, they will talk only of deficits, problems, and obstacles because that’s all you see when you remain at the bottom of the ladder. Don’t waste too much time here. Don’t join the argument. Advocacy is not a fight.